UPDATED 01/13/23 - - SCORED A PRISTINE M19 2 1/2" RB BY SURPRISE

[chief38]

I befriended a fellow down the block about 3 months ago and both he and his wife are retires LEO's. We talked about guns at the Party we were at and somehow started talking about vintage S&W revolvers. I told him my collection was pretty complete but that there was room for a M19 blued 2 1/2" RB revolver in pristine condition. He then said, " I think I've got one of those" and will look tomorrow or the next day. A few days later I get a call and he said , "are you busy now"? I told him to come on over. He did and was carrying a pistol case but he still hadn't said anything about what was in the box.

We worked our way in to my workshop and when he opened the box I saw what appeared to be a pristine M19 just the way I like them - unfired except for Factory testing of course. I then asked him if he would sell it and he said, let me think about it. That took about a week or so but he then told me because of the condition, he wanted top dollar. Long story short, we worked it out and I bought the gun two days ago. I went to the range today and the gun shot perfectly just as they all should. Other than being test fired, he said the gun had never been shot - I believe him as the condition verified that. Now it's got 100 rounds through it.

Well I finally got the hole in the safe filled and am quite happy with it. This was a model that I wasn't really very interested in back in the mid 1970's as I had so many similar versions. It was too heavy for EDC and to short for most target shooting I was doing but now I just wanted one because..... Now they are hard to find in the condition I like. It's a M19-4 from 1977, P&R, looks like it just rolled off the assembly line. I put 100 rounds through it today and it shot spot on, - didn't even have to adjust the rear sight. Quite honestly I never thought I'd have such an easy time getting one right here in the neighborhood! Just when I thought I'd never have one. You NEVER know!

UPDATE:

I shot the M19 for the second time since I got it and this time I adjusted the sights for my 158 grain 38 spl. hand-loads. I am pleased to report the gun shoots spectacularly and I would have posted a target or two but the two guys that went with me to the Range today, tossed them on the way out. I also painted the front sight red (last picture) which helps immensely. Couldn't be happier!

I also fired a cylinder full of 158 grain JSP 357 Magnums through it - not too bad considering the grips are still factory Magnas.

 

[ameridaddy]

A little serendipity goes a long way. Very nice find there!

 

[two-bit cowboy]

You always find what you're looking for in the last place you look.

Congrats. That's a handsome Combat Magnum.

 

[Narragansett]

A beauty for sure. I know I could find room in my collection for one like that.

 

[colt_saa]

Congratulations

A snubby Model 19 or 66 is just too Iconic not to have in a TRUE Smith & Wesson Collection.

Blue being the more attractive variant

My Step Father bought one back in 1977 and it came to me when he passed. This one had already been shot, but I knew by who and when so it was like a new one to me.

Up until that point the only blue snubby 19 I owned was this DSS revovler that I acquired in the box and it appears to be only test fired at the Factory.

This one I have never shot

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUnTBwUHov0[/ame]


The matte finish the DSS ordered is just not as attractive as polished blue

I do have a 66 Snubby that was carried and shot quite a bit. Back then I opted for the more durable metal since I am in South Florida.

 

[Bald1]

It may be to heavy (big) for EDC. But in my mind a snubby K or L frame 357 is the ultimate woods walking, hiking carry gun. I’d love to have one that nice. Congrats.

 

[John_M52]

Hmmm maybe now it's time to start the search for a M19 2 1/2 P&R LNIB with target trigger and hammer.... if they ever made one.

 

[MetalMan]

My BIL (ex-LEO and now deceased) had a 19-5 which he rarely shot and didn’t particularly like. He knew of my penchant for S&W revolvers and we worked out a “friends and family” deal.

When I took this to the range for the first time, i couldn’t get this to shoot anywhere near POA. I soon figured out that BIL had turned both rear sight adjustment screws all the way to the stops. After some minor fiddling, it now shoots spot on.

The trigger pull is a bit heavy but, in his memory, I’ve chosen to leave everything as-is and shoot it only sparingly as this will become a legacy piece to be kept in the family.

 

[chief38]

It may be to heavy (big) for EDC. But in my mind a snubby K or L frame 357 is the ultimate woods walking, hiking carry gun. I’d love to have one that nice. Congrats.

I totally agree! My "Wood Gun" is a 2 3/4" M65 stainless and is stoked with with Buffalo Bore 180 grain 357 magnum hard-cast LFN rounds. They move out of that gun at over 1,300 fps and are serious medicine! The 2 3/4" barrel makes it very easy to carry in the woods. Being stainless steel makes it resistant to most outdoor activities.

This particular M19 one was bought more for pleasure and looks more than an actual working gun however it will get shot.

 

[Beemerguy53]

Congratulations! That's a beautiful Model 19...makes me nostalgic for the way S&W used to make them.

 

[Retired W4]

I wish I had neighbors like that.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Congrats...............

Bought one new in the early 80s..... sold it to a good friend about 1990 after getting my first 3" 66.

About 2000 thought I ought to replace it ...... took me about 5 years to find a suitable P&Red replacement, 19-4 from 1980. It's a safe Queen as I still carry a used 66-4 3 inch.

 

[gkitch]

My BIL (ex-LEO and now deceased) had a 19-5 which he rarely shot and didn’t particularly like. He knew of my penchant for S&W revolvers and we worked out a “friends and family” deal.

When I took this to the range for the first time, i couldn’t get this to shoot anywhere near POA. I soon figured out that BIL had turned both rear sight adjustment screws all the way to the stops. After some minor fiddling, it now shoots spot on.

The trigger pull is a bit heavy but, in his memory, I’ve chosen to leave everything as-is and shoot it only sparingly as this will become a legacy piece to be kept in the family.

Love those Craig Spegel grips!

 

[Truckman]

...there was room for a M19 blued 2 1/2" RB revolver in pristine condition.

Last weekend I scored its twin (although slightly more experienced) brother at a gun show...It's currently working its way through Dunkin Gunwash for its debut......Ben

 

[Ranger514]

Congratulations! I have a 66-3 snubby that I bought for backcountry foot patrol and off duty carry 33 years ago. I've kept my eyes open for a 19 to match the past few years, but I haven't yet had the luck of the OP. The older blued models are spectacular.

 

[jimmyj]

I "HAD" a S&W Model 19-4 6", a 4", and a 2.5" Blued.
"HAD"-Son #2 has them now. After He had a complete burn out of His residence I "Re-armed" Him.

 

[CH4]

I love a story with a fairytale ending. Congratulations, that’s a beautiful -4.

There’s always room in my safe for another 2.5” 19/66. Can never have enough of those.

 

[usm1rifle]

Congrats on that great pickup. I have it's nickel brother that would be the last Smith I would ever sell.

 

[4BODIDDLEY]

I recently acquired this snub 19-3

 

[scooter123]

I have a family owned gunshop nearby where the owner does the Estate Sale routine and he's come up with some real gems. One was a 19-3 with a 2 1/2 inch barrel that was a sock drawer special. Unfired with some tiny freckles on the side plate. One of these days I'll get around to boiling the sideplate and do some light carding to clean up the finish but at present WD-40 is keeping that rust in suspended animation. One nice thing about these guns is the sight fill is very tight. As a result if you take care with sighting they are capable of excellent accuracy. At the end of one range session I decided to try it out at 50 yards and put 12 out or 12 shots into a 7 inch circle. Yeah I did cheat a bit and shot in Single Action but it still provides evidence that these are very capable revolvers.